News Article

Atletico de Kolkata bring in Technical Director and close in on new manager

A famous Englishman makes a remarkable comeback to Indian football with the two-time ISL champions....

Two-time champions of Indian Super League (ISL), Atlético de Kolkata haVE appointed Ashley Westwood as their new technical director for the forthcoming season. Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman RP- Sanjiv Goenka Group, co-owner, Atlético de Kolkataannounced the signing of Westwood, a man with vast experience as a coach and a long, successful playing career in some of the best clubs in England.

Speaking on the appointment of the Englishman Goenka said, "I take this opportunity to welcome our Technical Director Ashley Westwood to ATK family and believe that it is going to be a fascinating experience for him. Our effort to incorporate professionalism and build a well-knit team has further been heightened by Westwood joining the squad. His multifarious profile and experience of coaching in India will guide ATK in making it big for this season”

Westwood is one of the most loved managers in Indian football's recent history, as the Englishman took the newly formed Bengaluru FC to I-league glory in the first year of its inception. After two more years at the JSW-owned club, Westwood had won another I-league title and a Federation Cup. Westwood moved off to foreign shores then, managing Penang FA for a season.

The results were not too favourable for the 40-year old on Malaysian shores and the club and the manager parted ways after a poor season. There were a lot of rumours suggesting that Indian Super League side Chennaiyin FC are looking at Westwood for their managerial candidate. Rubbishing all those rumours, ATK, on Friday, announced to have managed the highly-applaudable coup.

In several media reports on Saturday morning, it has been reported that Teddy Sheringham has been roped in as the manager of Atletico de Kolkata for the forthcoming season, which is yet to be confirmed. The deal looks close though, and Ashley Westwood seems to have played a prominent role in the same, as both players are former Manchester United Academy graduates.

For people who do not know, Sheringham scored the equaliser for Manchester United against the famed Bayern Munchen at the Nou Camp in 1999's historic Champions League 2-1 victory. In one of the greatest ever comebacks in World football, Manchester United had scored twice in the space of four minutes at the dead-end of the game to turn it on its head.

Sheringham has played for English sides West Ham and Tottenham and has also managed the former. The 51-year-old is known to play and preach an attacking gameplay, which should be a treat for ATK fans.